What’s the longest you’ve known a Latter-day Saint missionary to serve in the same area?
by 
the Otter
ANSWERS: 2
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There was an elder in my mission that served 11 months as an Assistant to the President, but after eight months requested to get back out “in the field.” His request was granted, but he wasn’t released. He got to train a new A.P. while each of them trained a brand new missionary, in a completely different city than the mission home and office. (This missionary was also an accomplished basketball player, which I’ll discuss in another question.) Even longer than he, however, is a sister current serving in my ward. She got out of the MTC in November 2007 and is *still* in her first area (although on her fourth companion, and now training a “greenie,” herself)! Transfers are still several weeks away, so the least she’ll probably serve is 11 straight months in the same area. What is your experience?
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I have seen elders serve for more than a year in the same area, but not necessarily in the same capacity. We had an elder who worked in the mission office as recorder for a few months, then after a period was brought back as an AP. It's hard to answer because of the significant variations in service. I have friends who served their entire missions in one or two areas because of the nature of their call. As an example, when you are called to serve speaking Thai and Cambodian in a predominantly English speaking area, there are going to be a limited number of wards and branches you can be assigned to... More than six months seems to be rare, if only to protect against burn out, but there are plenty of reasons why it can happen.
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